Grace full mama

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

If you grew up in the church, you have heard this verse half a million times at least. I find sometimes when we hear it over and over like that, it can lose it’s salt a little bit. But my friends, those are powerful words. I was mulling this one over today as I went about my work at our fishing lodge. Something that really struck me about this scripture is how absolutely all or nothing it is. It is literally saying that we could die in a flaming abyss for our faith but if we do it devoid of love, it is utterly meaningless.

Wow.

That is sobering. As I do my umteenth load of laundry, discipline my kids for the eighty seventh time today, and whip up yet another yummy supper, I am aware of a lingering resentment that feels anything like love. I can have a tendency to ignore that resentment and just keep on truckin’… keep my head down, the floors spotless, and the food delicious. I shove that resentment onto the back burner where it won’t erupt too often and feel like as long as I am doing a good job of my work, it doesn’t really matter. Right? Wrong, sister.

Let’s rewrite that scripture for my life at the moment. ” If you have the gift of hospitality and order, you work your hands to the bone, you make a million delicious meals, and wipe a zillion drooly faces, but you do not have love, you have accomplished nothing. Zilch. Nada. You have not contributed to the kingdom of heaven.” Aaaah man! Way to rain on my parade.

A little whisper in the back of my mind tried to meander in with the thought “But all of that work IS love! That is how you show love!” It would be an easy way to justify myself and maintain my sense of importance, wouldn’t it? Problem is, God is smart. He finished up the love chapter with an in depth explanation of what love looks like. Let’s take a peek!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoiced with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

My friends, this does not always describe me. This means I need to act with love towards my husband, or nothing I do counts for anything. I need to act this way towards my kids, or all my great parenting is empty and worthless. I need to act this way towards my fishing clients, or else what I am doing is nothing. It’s not a little bit less awesome, it is nothing at all! What a way to let me know that works alone are never enough.

This could almost feel discouraging. It could feel like no matter how hard I try, it is never good enough. But this isn’t the case, not one little bit. What this verse actually means is if I haven’t taken the time for myself with my father in heaven, all the rest of my work for that day is worth nothing. I can’t pour love out of an empty cup. In order to do everything with love, I have to let Jesus fill me with it! I can’t will myself into being more loving. Love isn’t a feeling. It isn’t even a decision. Love is a substance that is tangible and real, and has only one source. Jesus.

How cool is that? If we want everything that we do for everyone around us to count for something, we have to put our soul first and fill it with Jesus. If I am full to overflowing with him and his love for me, if I am dealing with my stuff and I am filled with the fruits of the spirit, then love fills all the “works” that I do throughout the day, and they matter!

May you be filled with the source of all love, to overflowing! May his healing love fix and fill all the broken places in your soul. May you pour love into everything that you touch as you act in your giftings!